Then and Now - Inscribed -
William Somerset Maugham
1946 - William Heinemann Ltd, London - First Edition
A signed and inscribed first edition of Maugham’s Italian Renaissance novel about the life of Machiavelli.
Signed by Somerset Maugham and inscribed ‘a propaganda novel, for Norman’. Norman being Norman Unger, renowned Los Angeles book collector and a major benefactor of many writers.
Maugham’s previous novel, ‘The Razor’s Edge’ had been called ‘powerful propaganda for the new faith’ by Cyril Connolly. By 1945 Maugham was in Hollywood writing the screenplay for ‘The Razor’s Edge’ and was also friends with the L.A. based Norman Unger. Stretching, but perhaps Maugham is referring to Connolly’s statement in his inscription. Reference: Stott, A Bibliography of the Works of W. Somerset Maugham A64aii.
Octavo (book size 19.1x13.3cm), pp. [6] 229 [1]. In publisher’s smooth Arabian blue cloth (Stott binding ii, it was also issued in a lighter Persian blue (Stott i) and darker Midnight blue (Stott iii)), lettered in gilt to spine and front, author’s symbol blocked in gilt to front board, publisher’s windmill device blocked in blind to rear board, hay endpapers. Dust jacket priced ‘10s6d NET’ to lower corner of front flap. Stott suggests that although both binding states i and ii where issued simultaneously, it is possible state i was the first through the process. Condition: Fine in near fine dust jacket, minor toning to spine with short tear and some rubbing to ends. Ref: 112243 Price: HK$ 8,000
Signed by Somerset Maugham and inscribed ‘a propaganda novel, for Norman’. Norman being Norman Unger, renowned Los Angeles book collector and a major benefactor of many writers.
Maugham’s previous novel, ‘The Razor’s Edge’ had been called ‘powerful propaganda for the new faith’ by Cyril Connolly. By 1945 Maugham was in Hollywood writing the screenplay for ‘The Razor’s Edge’ and was also friends with the L.A. based Norman Unger. Stretching, but perhaps Maugham is referring to Connolly’s statement in his inscription. Reference: Stott, A Bibliography of the Works of W. Somerset Maugham A64aii.
Octavo (book size 19.1x13.3cm), pp. [6] 229 [1]. In publisher’s smooth Arabian blue cloth (Stott binding ii, it was also issued in a lighter Persian blue (Stott i) and darker Midnight blue (Stott iii)), lettered in gilt to spine and front, author’s symbol blocked in gilt to front board, publisher’s windmill device blocked in blind to rear board, hay endpapers. Dust jacket priced ‘10s6d NET’ to lower corner of front flap. Stott suggests that although both binding states i and ii where issued simultaneously, it is possible state i was the first through the process. Condition: Fine in near fine dust jacket, minor toning to spine with short tear and some rubbing to ends. Ref: 112243 Price: HK$ 8,000